Have ridden TGV (both the duplex and Atlantique), Thalys, ICE and Acela (DC to NY). All are dependable and nice. I admit I like First Class Acela the best. Though it hardly reaches its high speed potential due to track conditions, it is the easiest way to get from downtown DC to NYC, is on time much more than the airlines or other trains), and getting an upgrade to First is very easy. The First Class car and service are good, as is, surprisingly, the food quite often.